April 16, 2002

This Sunday
Join us April 21 when Rev. Jeanie Barnes gives the message.
8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.

This Saturday
April 20, 5-6 p.m. - contemporary worship at the Outreach Ministry Center, 9900 Mission Road. Rev. Sue Thomen Dolquist will deliver the message. Dress is casual.

New Life Springs Forth During Easter Season
How exciting to watch as the world springs to new life and nature begins bursting with color after the long, cold winter. According to the church calendar, we are in the 50-day season of Easter. This is a time to celebrate the resurrection power of Jesus Christ and to claim the new life, which comes through that transforming event.

Just as the world outside is undergoing seasonal transformation and transition, so are we as a church. We are facing the goodbyes of some beloved staff at the same time we are filled with anticipation and excitement about our new building and renovation projects. Transitions often pull our emotions in different directions. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the past, as well as with joy and uncertainty about the future. The good news of Easter is that God in Christ Jesus is alive and continues to be a real and empowering presence with us through all the changes we have already experienced, as well as through those which lie ahead.

We are grateful for all the wonderful gifts shared as our senior pastor, Dr. Bohl, and our children's ministry director, Judy Cooper, approach retirement following long years of service in the Presbyterian Church. We also know that God is busy preparing some talented new people to come fill their positions. Who are they? We don't know yet, but we can begin to pray for them and for their clear discernment of God's call to Village Church! We can also encourage one another during this time of transition with words of appreciation, love and hope.

Throughout the Easter season, songs of praise and alleluia are to be on our lips as we give thanks that "Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!" Because Christ is alive, we continue to celebrate in the midst of all the changes in personnel or programs, in worship styles or even building colors! God is beckoning us into the future. Let us embrace what comes joyfully, encouraging one another to live out our Easter faith. God loves us, God is with us, empowering us, guiding us and leading our way into new life and the future! Let us claim it!

May you be filled with joy and resurrection power this Easter season!
- Jeanie Barnes, minister of pastoral care and contemporary worship

Volunteer Opportunities
o Front Porch Alliance Cleanup Program would like volunteers to help residents pick up trash in the Ivanhoe area of Kansas City, Missouri, Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Carpools will leave the Village north parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Bring rakes, brooms, trimmers, lawn mowers, etc. Persons with trucks are also needed. This is a great project for groups, individuals and families.
o Front Porch Alliance Gardening Project would like volunteers to help assist in the Ivanhoe neighborhood garden at 37th and Highland in Kansas City, Missouri. Volunteers would work with residents to grow vegetables and flowers. Volunteers are also needed to partner with an Ivanhoe homeowner who wishes to beautify his or her yard. The volunteer and homeowner work together to plant flowers, trim bushes, etc.
o Kaw Valley Center, which assists abused and neglected children, will hold a KVC Ride for Kids on Saturday, June 8, at the Kansas Speedway, Kansas City, Kansas. Volunteers can ride bikes or walk the moderate 15- or 20-mile course. For fees and information, call 913/621-4641, ext. 1394.

For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities, contact Susan Strongman in the Volunteer Ministry Office, 913/262-4200, ext. 380.

K.C. Wind Symphony Presents Spring Concert
The Kansas City Wind Symphony will present a spring concert titled "Memorabilia" - Music of Gershwin, Joplin, Bernstein, & More" on Sunday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Enjoy a spring evening listening to the tunes of Fascinating Rhythm, Embraceable You, Somebody Loves Me, Someone to Watch Over Me, I Got Rhythm and the rhythms of Ragtime Dance Music, as well as the Candide Suite. The Kansas City Wind Symphony is a community arts group, which is sponsored by the Music Ministry of the Village Presbyterian Church with Mark Ball, music director. The public is welcome and admission is free. For more information, call 913/671-2344.

Village Vision Planning Celebration Party
The Village Vision Capital Campaign, which began in September 2001, will be wrapping up with a Celebration Party on Sunday, April 28, at 4 p.m. in Friendship Hall. What better way to celebrate the commitment of over $8,600,000 to the future of Village Church than to celebrate on Youth Sunday. Be sure to mark your calendars and join in the celebration with music, cake and ice cream. Bring the whole family as we celebrate the present and future of Village Church.

Adult Ministries Events
SUNDAY CLASSES: Mark Stowell will lead the Faith Journey class at 9:30 a.m. This month, Linda Dailey will lead Singles Sunday A.M. at 11 a.m. in the Parlor.

Single Parent Support resumes on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. in Room E306. Child care is available. Call 913/262-4200 for reservations.

New Singles Support begins a new session on April 18. This six-week class meets on Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Parlor. This long-standing support group deals with coping skills for the adjustment immediately following divorce and separation.

Lend a helping hand by giving tours of the Designer Showhouse XXXIII, on Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Serve as tour guides for the Annual Women's Symphony Alliance. We need 8-10 volunteers. To sign up, call the Adult Ministries Office at 913/262-4200.

The Kansas City Chorale Concert, with music from around the world, will be Sunday, April 28, in the Sanctuary. This event is co-sponsored by People to People. There will be a preconcert talk at 1 p.m., and the concert begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Couples Night Out will have its first gathering on April 26 for Bunko Night. Couples Night Out is for couples 30-49. Family pizza dinner is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person, and kids eat free. Bunko is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Child care is available; reservations must be made by Thursday, April 18. Call 913/262-4200, ext. 367.

The Wednesday Evening Dinners are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Friendship Hall. The cost is $5, or $15 per family. Please make reservations by noon Tuesday. Call 913/262-4200.

AARP presents: "55 Alive," Tuesday, May 7, and Wednesday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Friendship Hall West. The class is $10 per person. This class is on automobile safety, and many insurance companies give discounts for completing the class. For more information, call 913/262-4200.

The men's group First Watch is changing their meeting time and place. Beginning this month, they will meet every Friday morning from 6:45 to 7:30 a.m. in Room F181.

Plan to Attend Celebration Potluck April 27
The next Village Celebration potluck dinner will be Saturday, April 27, immediately following the 5 p.m. Celebration Worship Service at 9900 Mission Road. Chef Myron Winship will prepare the main course of hamburgers and hot dogs. Chef Myron will also be providing cole slaw and potato salad. The cost will be $3 per person, and children 10 years of age and under are free. Coffee, lemonade and water are included with the meal. Soft drinks will be available for an additional 25 cents per can. If possible, bring one side dish or dessert per family to complement the meal. Please plan to attend even if you aren't able to bring a dish; there is always plenty of food. Your dish or dessert can be dropped off at the Bistro as you arrive for the service. The Celebration greeters will be happy to direct you to the Bistro. There is no agenda beyond eating and enjoying those around you. You can stay as long or short as your circumstance dictates.

Jack Miller to Receive K.C. Spirit Award
Jack Miller, who has been an active member of Village Church since 1959, is among the seven Kansas Citians who will receive the 2002 Kansas City Spirit Award. This prestigious award is given each year to a small group of Kansas Citians who have contributed their time and talent to improve our community. Miller has been volunteering for many years at the Children's Therapeutic Learning Center, Head Start of Shawnee Mission and Somerset Elementary. He has served as elder, deacon, trustee and choir member at Village Church, in addition to being a member of the outreach, children's and Habitat ministries. The awards will be presented on May 8 at the 21st Anniversary Kansas City Spirit Gala at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center Hotel. The Gala is a major fund-raiser for Gillis, which has been serving Kansas City families and youth for 132 years.

Clothes Closet Receives Easter Dresses
Easter is behind us at the Food Pantry, but the warmth of a generous deed lingers on. A wonderful donation of several handmade Easter little girl dresses (one with a matching hat.) was made to the Clothes Closet. Several families were extremely happy to pick a brand new dress for their little girl! For the Food Pantry, our wishes this week include toilet paper, facial tissues, toothpaste, shampoo and feminine hygiene products. Thank you for your generous response to our requests.

Enjoy Bill Sanderson's Artwork on the Bridge
Take a few moments to stop by the bridge during the month of April to enjoy the wonderful artwork of Bill Sanderson. After his retirement as a structural engineer in 1986, Bill attended the Johnson County Community College for five semesters, earning 15 credit hours in fine arts. In addition, Bill has taken numerous noncredit courses in fine arts. Bill specializes in landscapes created with either oils or colored chalk.

Get Your Tickets Now for the Royals-Cards Game
Take me out to the ball game! See the Kansas City Royals take on the St. Louis Cardinals on June 8 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are only $10 for view-level seats. There will be free school bus transportation from Village Church. You must sign up in advance. Purchase tickets (first-come, first-serve) at the Adult Ministries Office. Call 913/262-4200 for more information.

Make Plans to See the Wizards, Michael W. Smith
See the Wizards play professional soccer and stay for the Michael W. Smith concert. Buy tickets for the May 4 game for $15 each. The game is at 6 p.m., and the concert is at 8:30 p.m. Please make reservations by calling the Adult Ministries Office at 913/262-4200.

Upcoming Events
Women With Spirit
Women With Spirit presents Adventures in Children's Literature on Tuesday, April 23, at 9:30 a.m. in Room F181. Join Marlys Waters from the Reading Reptile in West-port as she presents an overview of some of the best books for children. Call Julie Lee at 913/652-6867 for reservations or child care arrangement.

Page Turners
Page Turners will meet Tuesday, April 23, in Room 174 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss The Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. The discussion will be led by Rachel Kumpf. We welcome all women and guests to join us.

Mission Sewing II
The next Mission Sewing II will meet Tuesday, April 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room C160. Bring a friend and enjoy good fellowship. All sewing materials are furnished.

Dollar Dames
Dollar Dames will meet Monday, April 29, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room F124. "The Basics of the Stock Market" will be the topic presented by Andy Harris, using the book The Road to Wealth by Suze Orman. All women are welcome! Please call Pat Harris, 913/362-5610, if you have any questions.

Carla Stovall to Speak at PW's Spring Luncheon
Mark your calendars now to attend the Presbyterian Women's Spring Luncheon on Saturday, May 4, in Friendship Hall. Kansas Attorney General Carla Stovall will be our featured speaker. Stovall is currently serving as president of the National Association of Attorneys General. She is serving her second term in office. Stovall is one of the state's chief advocates for children. She believes all Kansas citizens must commit themselves to ensure that all children have childhoods that are healthy, happy and safe. Please make your plans now to attend this luncheon. The luncheon is from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and tickets are $7. Tickets will be available after services on April 27 and 28.

Reception on Sunday to Honor Judy Cooper
A reception honoring Judy Cooper, director of children's ministry, will be held Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m. in Friendship Hall. Village Church friends, including children, are invited to greet Judy and wish her well as she retires from Village Church. Refreshments will be served. A special puppet show and youth band will perform. Please plan to attend.

GRANDKIDS/GRANDPARENTS CAMP
August 3-4, 2002, Heartland Presbyterian Center

GRANDPARENTS - You are invited to spend a weekend of fun with your grandkids at camp.
GRANDKIDS - You are invited to spend a weekend away with your grandparents at camp.

Ride horses, swim, eat good food, play games, create crafts, worship, sing, hike, plus many other things at Grandkids/Grandparents Camp.

Please mark your calendars for this very special weekend. For more information, call Twila Spencer, 816/891-1078, ext. 21.

Catechism Question of the Week
When was the Holy Spirit given to the first Christians?
On the day of Pentecost.

Please Mark Your Calendars!
The next Village Church Blood Drive is Monday, May 6, from 1 to 7 p.m. in Room S141 (under the Sanctuary). Please call Roxie Byrne at 913/262-4200 to schedule an appointment.

IN MEMORY
Lawrence Smith III